Eye Institute branch moving from Mt. Airy to the Hill

The Eye Institute of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University is moving its Mt. Airy branch at 7145 Germantown Ave. to 7630 Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill Plaza, the former site of the TLA Video store.

Alexis Abate, marketing coordinator for the Eye Institute, said that while the official opening “depends on scheduling and construction,” it could open as early as the end of August.

Currently, the Eye Institute has three facilities – in Oak Lane, Mt. Airy and East Falls – that see approximately 44,000 to 45,000 patients a year. Last year, Abate said, the Mt. Airy site treated more than 3,000 patients.

Abate said the Eye Institute does not “anticipate having any break in patient care.”

“If there is a break in patient care, it would be minimal,” she said.

Dr. Susan Oleszewski, vice-president for patient care services at the Eye Institute said the institute opened its Mt. Airy location in October 2003.

“Most patients who have sought services at our Mt. Airy office consider us the neighborhood eye doctor,” Oleszewski said. “We hope that will continue at our new lower Chestnut Hill location. The need for more clinical space was one of the main reasons for looking for an alternative office location.”

The Chestnut Hill location has 3,100 square feet of floor space compared to 1,850 square feet at the institute’s current Mt. Airy branch.

“It was imperative that the new location be convenient for our established patients,” Oleszewski said, and “have free parking for our patients.”

According to Abate, the new facility will have six examination rooms and a beautiful storefront showcasing the Eye Institute’s large variety of eyeglasses.

Oleszewski said the Eye Institute was “thrilled to have the opportunity to offer our quality vision and eye health services to the Chestnut Hill community.”